VOTE: Yes or no to Nelson’s ‘Shuttle’ public artwork?

A LARGE weaving shuttle is set to be installed in the newly improved Nelson town centre, commemorating the town’s history.

Plans for the 10-12metre high steel structure were announced at a meeting of Pendle Council’s Nelson Committee by members of a working group.

The shuttle will be a focal point for the town, situated on the junction of Manchester Road, Market Street and Leeds Road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun. Sheena Dunn, who was on the panel who chose the shuttle design, told the committee: “The shuttle will be something Nelson can be proud of which reflects the heritage of the area and is something really unique.”

But some members of the committee expressed concerns that the historical meaning behind the shuttle would be lost on some of Nelson’s 21st century residents.

Nicholas Emery, town centre partnership vice-chairman, said: “Apart from the older generation, very few people will recognise what the shuttle is meant to be.

“In one breath we are saying we should be conserving our weaving heritage and in the other we are demolishing one of our last remaining examples.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His comments came after councillors gave their support to plans to demolish Reedyford Mill and turn it into housing.

Coun. Eileen Ansar, while supporting the plans for the shuttle, said she had been disappointed local traders had not been consulted on a design for a focal point in the town.

“Trader and shopkeepers have a right to be involved as they have a vested interest in the town, but they have been overlooked.”

Coun. Dunn refuted their concerns: “Part of the problem with the mills is they were built for a purpose and this purpose no longer exists, so we can’t keep hold of them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Some of the old mills are being preserved and we should not forget our weaving heritage.

“If people do not know what a shuttle is then this is an excellent opportunity to remind them.”

Nelson’s £2.1 million revamp will see traffic flowing through the town centre.

The shuttle structure, created by local firm DP Structures, is still to be priced up but should be ready for installation by next summer.

Related topics: